Barbara and Martha helped Sandra put the kitchen back together after everyone had finished eating. Even with such a simple thing as sandwiches, there was still a mess to clean up and she was grateful for their help.

Sandra also knew that Danny had been somewhat mysterious about supper for that evening, but it was something new that he had not tried until he and Red went to California and he wanted to surprise his friends.

So as he had said they would, Rafe and Evelyn arrived late that afternoon on the five o'clock transport and everyone was there to greet them. After hugs and handshakes, the group headed back to the house and Sandra went back to Mrs. Monahan's to collect the girls.

"Is everyone here now?" The older woman smiled at her as she met Sandra on the front porch.

"It's officially a full house." She answered with a smile. "But Ev and Rafe always managed it on the holidays when they lived there, so I think Danny and I can too."

"I'm usually here if you need a hand." Mrs. Monahan told her.

"And Danny and I sure appreciate it." Sandra answered as she picked up a sleepy Shelby and took the hand of the equally sleepy Ann. "I hope they weren't too much trouble."

"You should know better than that Sandra. Those two angels of yours are never any trouble."

She smiled at her neighbor. "Thanks again."

"Anytime honey." Mrs. Monahan replied as Sandra started across the lawn and crossed into her own yard. She walked into the house and heard the gathered friends on the back porch and smiled to herself. It was always too long between visits and it was like old times having everyone there and enjoying each other's company.

Her daughters though weren't used to all of the strangers and she could see that they were getting a little overwhelmed with all of the attention as she brought them out back.

Danny picked up Ann and she buried her face in his shoulder as she put her arms around his neck. "Not used to all these people are you punkin'?"

Sandra saw her daughter shake her head and Danny tried not to smile.

"How 'bout Mama and I take you inside and get you to bed?"

She nodded.

"Okay, let's go."

Sandra started to follow Danny into the house before she stopped and turned to them. "We'll be out in a few minutes."

She walked inside with a now sleeping Shelby in her arms and could see that Ann had fallen asleep in her father's arms. Danny smiled at her as he turned into Ann's room while Sandra walked into Shelby's and got her sleeper out of the dresser.

It didn't take long before she and Danny met back in the hallway and he took her hand. "She didn't wake up even a little."

"Shelby either. I have a feeling that they're going to sleep through the night." She smiled as she heard their one-year-old stir and start to cry. "I spoke too soon. You go ahead, I'll check on her."

"All right." He looked concerned as he leaned over and kissed her cheek. He headed back down the hall and out to the back porch. She walked back into Shelby's room and saw the small face of her daughter looking so distressed and she picked her up out of her crib.

She stopped crying as Sandra held her close and spoke to her softly. "You're just not used to all these people are you sweetie? But they're good friends of your daddy's and mine and we don't get to see them the way we used to." She walked around the small room and eventually she sensed that her daughter had gone back to sleep. She walked for a few moments more before she finally put Shelby down a second time and she didn't stir.

Sandra stood at the side of the crib and ran a gentle hand over the soft hair of her youngest and couldn't help but marvel that if it weren't for her husband, she wouldn't have her two girls.

She turned on the music box that had belonged to Danny's mother and set it next to the crib. Shelby continued to sleep and she seemed to relax at the sound of the music coming from the small box. It had calmed Ann too when she'd been Shelby's age.

Sandra walked to the door and closed it behind her. She walked across the hall to check on Ann and she was sound asleep. She smiled because Ann was like her father when it came to sleep because nothing seemed to disturb her. She closed Ann's door as well to insulate her from the noise outside.

She walked down the hall and headed to the kitchen to check on the marinated steaks that were in the icebox. She knew it was something that he'd been looking forward to since they invited their friend's back to Hawaii. When he and Red were in California, they were introduced to barbequing. Danny had explained that you could take a piece of raw meat and instead of frying it, put it over an open flame.

It had intrigued him so much that he and Red built a barbeque in the backyard. And the first night the three friends finally decided to try it, Danny burnt the steaks.

She shook her head in amusement at the memory and pulled the platter of steaks out before she left the kitchen and walked back out to the porch. "The girls are sound asleep. I think Mrs. Monahan wore them out."

"That woman is a godsend." He said and kissed her on the cheek before he took the platter off of her hands. "Thanks honey."

"Just don't burn them this time." She said with a smile and went to the bar to fix herself a drink.

*~*~*~*~*

The hour had grown late and it was a reluctant parting for the friends. But they agreed to meet at the Black Cat for breakfast the next morning as Danny and Red both had the day off.

Red left with Barbara, Martha and Gooz while Danny volunteered to take Rafe and Evelyn to their hotel.

When he returned a half hour later, he told Sandra that Rafe had made reservations at the Haleiwa Motor Court and even managed to get the same room that he'd stayed in when he'd returned from England.

They sat together on the sofa as he took her hand and she smiled at him. "He's just as romantic as you are, I'd say. After all, don't we spend our anniversary every year where we had our honeymoon?"

He grinned at her. "That we do. But it's not somethin' I would ever expect him to do."

"It makes sense to me. He loves Ev and would do anything to make her happy. Just as I know you do for me."

"And it helps that you're so easy to please."

"So are you." She flushed as the look he was giving her. "Well now that we have our house put back together and the girls are asleep, why don't we stay out here and enjoy the quiet."

"I have a better idea." Danny said. He stood up and offered Sandra his hand.

She took it and smiled back as she stood up next to him. "Oh honestly Danny, the way your mind works sometimes."

His smile grew wider as he tightened his hold on her hand and she followed him inside.